Savory Sausage Apple Herb Stuffing

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 45 min
🍽 Serves: 8
★★★★★
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Get ready to elevate your stuffing game with this Savory Sausage Apple Herb Stuffing. A delightful blend of sweet apples, hearty sausage, and aromatic herbs, it's the perfect side dish for any cozy gathering. Whether you're celebrating a holiday or just a family dinner, this stuffing is sure to impress!

Ingredients for Savory Sausage Apple Herb Stuffing

Pork sausage adds a rich, savory depth that forms the base of the stuffing. It's the star ingredient that ties everything together. Cubed bread absorbs all the flavors and provides the necessary body to the stuffing. You can use any bread, but a hearty loaf works best. Apples introduce a subtle sweetness that beautifully balances the savory elements. Celery and onions bring a classic, aromatic backbone to the dish. Chicken broth ensures the stuffing stays moist and flavorful. Unsalted butter adds a creamy richness, while fresh sage, rosemary, and thyme bring vibrant, earthy notes that make each bite irresistible. Season with salt and pepper to enhance all the flavors.

Tips & Tricks

  • If you're short on time, prep the ingredients the night before. Chop the veggies and herbs so they’re ready to go.
  • For a gluten-free version, use your favorite gluten-free bread.
  • Want more crunch? Add a handful of chopped nuts, like pecans or walnuts, to the mix.

Serving Suggestions

This stuffing pairs wonderfully with a roasted turkey or chicken. For a vegetarian option, serve it with a hearty vegetable stew. A crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette complements the richness of the stuffing nicely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this stuffing ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare it the day before and store it in the refrigerator. Just bake it when you’re ready to serve.
What kind of apples should I use?
Firm, tart apples like Granny Smith work well, but feel free to use your favorite variety.
Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?
Yes, but reduce the quantity by half as dried herbs are more concentrated in flavor.

Savory Sausage Apple Herb Stuffing Recipe Walkthrough

First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This way, it'll be ready to go once the stuffing is assembled. Start by cooking the sausage in a large skillet over medium heat. Break it up and stir occasionally until it's nicely browned. Once cooked, transfer the sausage to a plate lined with paper towels to drain off the excess fat.

In the same skillet, melt the butter. Toss in the onions and celery and let them sauté until they’re softened — about five minutes should do it. Next, add the diced apples along with the sage, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together and cook for another three minutes to let the flavors meld.

Now, grab a large mixing bowl and combine the cooked sausage, the sautéed mixture, and the bread cubes. Mix everything thoroughly so that the bread absorbs all those delicious flavors. Pour the chicken broth over the mixture and gently toss until the bread is evenly moistened. Be gentle here — you want to keep some bread texture intact.

Transfer the stuffing into a greased baking dish, cover it with foil to keep it from drying out, and pop it in your preheated oven. After 30 minutes, remove the foil and let it bake for another 10–15 minutes. This final step will give the top that beautiful, golden crispiness. Serve it hot and enjoy!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors.
  • Simple ingredients, big flavors.
  • Easy to prepare, even for beginners.
  • Great make-ahead dish for stress-free hosting.

Ingredients

1 lb pork sausage
3 cups cubed bread
2 medium apples, peeled and diced
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped onions
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup unsalted butter
2 tbsp fresh sage, finely chopped
1 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
1 tbsp fresh thyme, finely chopped
Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large skillet, cook the sausage over medium heat until browned. Remove and drain excess fat.
3. In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté onions and celery until softened, about 5 minutes.
4. Add diced apples, sage, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir well and cook for another 3 minutes.
5. In a large mixing bowl, combine sausage, sautéed mixture, and bread cubes. Mix thoroughly.
6. Pour chicken broth over mixture and gently toss until bread is moistened.
7. Transfer stuffing into a greased baking dish and cover with foil.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until top is golden and crisp.
9. Serve hot.

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